Former Kentucky star could take on new role in Houston afterhis rookie season.
Reed Sheppard is set to take on the biggest role of his young career. Many are expecting that the Houston Rockets will put Sheppard as the starting point guard after veteran Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL that will sideline him for the season, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
It’s a major opportunity for Sheppard, the former Kentucky standout, whose rookie year didn’t go as planned. Sheppard was drafted No. 3 overall by the Rockets in the 2024 NBA Draft, where he entered the league with high expectations and was even mentioned in preseason Rookie of the Year conversations. Instead, he struggled to find his footing, appearing in just 52 games with only three starts. He averaged 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 12.6 minutes per game while shooting 35.1% from the field and 33.8% from three. Sheppard also spent time developing in the NBA G-League.
Despite the rocky start, Houston remains confident in his upside. Sheppard was one of the most efficient shooters in college basketball during his only season at Kentucky, averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 33 games. He shot 53.6% from the field and 52.1% from beyond the arc while earning a reputation as a great playmaker and a tough defender.
Now, Sheppard faces a pivotal second season, one that could define his NBA trajectory. With VanVleet out, the Rockets will rely heavily on the 20-year-old guard to steady their backcourt and show the promise that made him a top-three pick.
Category: General Sports
